Refrigerator



A. A. KUCHER Nov. 7, i933,

REFRIGERATOR Original Filed Aug. 13, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l AA/fucber mvENToR NESS ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1933. A. A. KUCHER 1,934,604

REFRIGERATOR Original Filed Aug. 13 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wiss lNyENToR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATOR Application August 13, 1923, Serial No. 657,121 Renewed June 10, 1933 20 Claims.

My invention relates to refrigerating machines, particularly to small capacity machines of the compression type which are suitable for household use and it has for an object to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall include a novel method andl means for dissipating the heat generated by the compression mechanism, and which shall also include an evaporation chamber of such design and proportions as to induce a thorough circulation of the brine within the brine tank. It has for a further `object to arrange the motor brushes Within the condensing chamber in such manner that inspection or renewal of the same is facilitated, and it also has for an object to provide communicating means between the condensing and evaporation chambers which may be readily connected and which shall, when disconnected, be adapted to confine the refrigerant fluid within the respective chambers. All of these features cooperate to provide a machine well adapted for transportation and domestic installation and for effective operation under the exacting requirements of household use with little or no attention.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout the further description of the invention, may be attained by the employment of the apparatus hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a compression refrigerator in which my invention may be practiced; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing, to a larger scale,

the connecting fittings employed in Fig. 1 between the condensing and evaporating chambers; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of another type of connecting tting which I may employ in lieu of that shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of a modified form of condensing chamber.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a fuller description of my invention, I show in Fig. 1 a compression refrigerator of a type similar l5 to that disclosed in a copending application of mine, Serial No. 509,672, filed October 22, 1921, and entitled Refrigeration machine. It is to be understood, however, that my invention may be `practiced in other types of refrigerating machines, and that the apparatus illustrated and herein described is employed by way of example and as an aid in presenting a clear exposition of my invention. As illustrated, 10 designates a refrigerator box. Mounted thereon, is a condensing chamber 11 comprising a base 12 and a dome 13. Disposed within the condensing I chamber 11 is a motor 14 surrounded by a casing 15 which is supported vupon the base 12. The motor 14 is provided with a commutator 16 anda shaft y17 which is connected to a com- 60 pressor 18 mounted upon the .motor casing.

Current is supplied to the motor 14 through cables `I19 to plugs21. The plugs 21 form. fluidtight closures for openings22 which are radially disposed in the base 12 and which house 65 the brushes 23. The brushes 23 are held in slidable engagement with the commutator 16 by means of springs 24 composed of some suitable material for conducting electrical current. The springs 24 are highly elastic and are designed 70 to compensate for reductions in the length of the brushes as may be caused by wear. Sleeve members 25, composed of some suitable insulating material, are provided Within the openings 22. The brushes may not necessarily be arranged within the base, as illustrated in the drawings, but may be similarly disposed in any portion of the condensing chamber as may be required by the disposition of the motor. With the above arrangement, the brushes may be easily replaced or renewed, the structure being so designed that the huid-tightness of the condensing chamber is not impaired. Furthermore, brushes of extraordinary length may be utilized, thereby reducing replacements to a minimum.

The compressor 18 discharges refrigerant vapor into the condensing chamber 11 wherein is arranged a plurality of condensing coils 31 which extend throughout the length of the chamber and which are provided with an inlet connection 32 and an outlet connection 33 for the passage of a cooling medium. Connected to the inlet connection 32 is a conduit 34 for conveying cooling medium to a plurality of coils 35. The coils 35 surround the compressor 18 and are soldered 95 thereto, although they may be solidly joined to the compressor in any other suitable manner, such as by being disposed Within the cast housing of the compressor. This coil is preferably constructed of seamless tubing, which construction I have found to be of considerable improvement over that of a cast cooling jacket, the possibility of leakage of the cooling medium to the refrigerant-containing portions of the apparatus being reduced to a minimum. The outlet end of the coil 35 is connected by means of a conduit 36 to the discharge portion of the condensing coil.

The condensed refrigerant is conveyed by means of a passage 38, provided within the motor casing 15, and a conduit 39 to a connecting fitting 41. The connecting fitting 41 communicates with a conduit 42, the lower or outlet end of which discharges refrigerant fluid into an evaporator 43. The flow of the condensed refrigerant fluid through the passage 38 is controlled by a reducing valve 27 which is actuated by a float 28 and which maintains a constant body of liquid refrigerant within the condensing chamber at all times. The connecting fitting 41, as shown in Fig. 2, is composed of a condensing portion 44, Which is connected through the conduit 39 to the condensing chamber, and an evaporator portion 45, which is connected through the conduit 42 to the evaporator. Upon assembly of the refrigerating machine, the two portions are connected by means of a nut 46 and a fluid-tight joint is formed as at 47. Prior to assembly, the refrigerant fluid is retainedl in the condenser and in the evaporator by the fusible plugs 48 and 49. YAfter the connection is made, heat may be applied to the fitting and, upon the plugs becoming fused, communication is established between the condensing chamber and the evaporator. The evaporator portion 45 of the fitting is provided with a recess 51 which is adapted to receive the fused plugs 48 and 49 and is so arranged as not to obstruct the area` of flow through the fitting. As it is usually advisable to charge both the condensing chamber and the evaporation chamber with refrigerant fluid and to ship them disconnected to their destination, assembly of the machine in the latter place may be greatly facilitated by providing connecting means, as described above, the respective portions of which form a seal for each of the chambers, but which are so designed that when connected together, the seal may be readily removed and communication between the chambers established.

The evaporator 43 is of annular conformation and is so proportioned as to provide a large heatabsorbing surface per unit volume of refrigerant fluid. It is arranged centrally within a cylindrical brine tank 44 which may be supported within the refrigerator box 10 in any suitable manner. I have found from experiment, that an evaporator of such proportions disposed within a brine tank in the manner shown in Fig. 1, produces a uniform and thorough circulation of the brine within the tank, resulting in a uniform temperature of the entire heat-absorbing surface and in the maintenance of an even temperature throughout all portions of the refrigerator box. The refrigerant Vapor generated in the evaporator 43 is returned through a conduit 46, a connecting fitting 47, which fitting is similar in construction to the connecting f-ltting 41, a conduit 48 and a passage 49 to the inlet of the compressor 18.

The operation of the apparatus thus described is as follows: The condensing chamber 11 and the evaporator 43 are lled to a level, such as indicated on the drawings, with a suitable refrigerant fluid and the tank 44 is filled to a level, as indicated, with brine. Water from some extraneous source is then circulated through the condensing coils 31 and the cooling coils 35 and is discharged from the condensing chamber through the outlet connection 33. Upon current being conveyed through the conduit 19 to the plug 21 and thence through the spring 24 and brush 23 to the commutator 16, the motor 14 actuates the compressor 18. The compressor 18 discharges refrigerant vapor into the condensing chamber 11, whereupon it is condensed upon the coils 31 and falls to the lower portion of the condensing chamber. The condensed refrigerant is then further cooled by that portion of the condensing coils 3l which is disposed below the liquid level. The heat generated by the compressor 18 is conducted directly through the connecting metal to the cooling coil 35 and is absorbed by the water circulating therethrough. In this manner, very effective cooling is provided.

The condensed refrigerant accumulates in the lower portion of the condensing chamber and, upon sufficient rise of level therein, the float 28 moves to lift the valve 2'7 to permit the liquid refrigerant to flow through the passage 38 and the communicating conduits to the evaporator 43. Cold is then produced in normal manner by the absorption of heat from the brine in the tank 44, and the refrigerant vapor resulting therefrom rises to the upper portion of the evaporator from whence it is conveyed by means of a conduit 46, fitting 47 and conduit 48 to the passage 49. The passage 49 communicates with the inlet of the compressor 18 and, upon the refrigerant vapor re-entering the compressor, the cycle of operation is completed. The brine within the tank 44 absorbs heat from the refrigerator box and, upon a sufficient reduction of temperature therein, automatic devices may be provided to stop the compression mechanism.

In Fig. 3 I show a connecting fitting 61 which may be employed in lieu of that shown in Fig. 2. It comprises a condenser portion 62 and an evaporator portion 63, which portions may be coupled together during assembly of the refrigerating machine by means of the nut 64, afluidtight joint being formed at 65. Flow passages 66 and 67 are provided in the respective portions 62 and 63 of the tting. Conical seats 68 and 69 are provided in the passages and associated therewith are valves 71 and 72 which engage screw threads 73 and 74 by means of which the valves may engage the seats 68 and 69 and form fluid-tight closures for the openings, or, may be spaced from their seats, thereby permitting communication between the condenser and the evaporator. Removable plugs '75 and 76 seal the access openings to the valves.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modied form of dome 81 for the condensing chamber, in which a plurality of air-cooling fins is provided. These fins may assist the cooling coils in dissipating the heat of condensation of the refrigerant vapor, and, under some conditions of operation, may have associated therewith, a system of forced air circulation by the use of which the cooling coils may be entirely dispensed with. In Fig. 4 I show means at 83 for effecting a forced circulation of air.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I de- 'sire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposedby the prior art, or as are specifically set forth inthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, and a casing containing condensed refrigerant fluid for housing both the motor and the compressor, said motor and compressor being so disposed within the casing as to be cooled, at least in part, through the intermediary of the condensed refrigerant fluid contained therein.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a chamber for housing both the motor andthe compressor, and means for maintaining a body of condensed refrigerant iiuid within the chamber suicient to partly immerse the motor and the compressor, whereby the heat of both the motor and the coinpressor is absorbed, at least in part, through the intermediary of the condensed refrigerant fluid.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a fluid-tight casing containing refrigerating liquid and vapor, a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within the casing, said moto-r being at least partially immersed in the refrigerant liquid contained in the casing, and cooling means associated with the casing, said cooling means being arranged in heat-conducting Y relation with the refrigerant liquid and spaced from the motor, whereby the refrigerant liquid is utilized to conduct heat from the motor to the cooling means.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a fluid-tight casing containing refrigerant liquid and vapor, a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within the casing, said motor and compressor being at least partly immersed in the refrigerant liquid contained in the casing, and cooling means associated with the casing, said cooling means being arranged in heat-conducting relation with the refrigerant lquidyand spaced from the compressor and the motor, whereby the refrigerant liquid is utilized to conduct heat from the compressor and the motor to the cooling means.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a condensing chamber containing refrigerant liquid and vapor, a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within the condensing chamber, said compressor and itsI driving motorbeing partly immersed in the refrigerant liquid, and a cooling coil forV condensing the refrigerant vapor disposed within the chamber, said cooling coil extending into the body of refrigerant liquid.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a condensing chamber containing refrigerant vapor and liquid and en closing the compressor and the motor, said Compressor together with its driving motor being partly immersed in', the refrigerant liquid, and a condensing coil disposed within the chamber, said condensing coil surrounding the compressor and extending into the liquid refrigerant, Whereby the compressor and its driving motor are cooled.

'7.,In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a condensing chamber enclosing the motor and the compressor, means for maintaining a body of condensed refrigerant uid about the motor for cooling the same, and a cooling coil disposed in the condensing chamber, said cooling coil extending into the body of condensed refrigerant uid.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a condensing chamber containing refrigerant liquid and vapor, a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within the condensing chamber, said motor being at least partly immersed in the refrigerant liquid contained in the condensing chamber-and cooling means for condensingthe refrigerantyapor associated with the condensing chamber, said cooling means being arranged in heat-conducting relation with the refrigerant liquid vand spaced from the motor, whereby the refrigerant liquid is utilized to conduct heat from the motor to the cooling means.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus in which the refrigerant uid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a condensing chamber containing refrigerant liquid and vapor, a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within the condensing chamber, said motor and compressor being at least partly immersed in the liquid refrigerant contained in the condensing chamber, and cooling means associated with the condensing chamber for condensing the refrigerant vapor, said cooling means being arranged in heat-conducting relation with the refrigerant liquid and spaced from the compressor and motor, whereby the refrigerant liquid is utilized to conduct heat from the motor to the cooling means.

10. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, compressed and condensed in a repeating cycle, the combination of a motor and a compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and compressor and spaced therefrom, said compressor having an outlet communicating with the interior of the casing for discharging refrigerant vapor therein, and heat dissipating ns provided on the exterior surface of the casing and including that portion of the casing which surrounds at least the motor, whereby the heat of the motor is dissipated through the intermediary of the compressed vapors and the cooling ns.

11. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant uid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a compressor, discharge means associated with the compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and` compressor, the space intervening between thel exterior surface of the compressor and the interior surface of the casing constituting a condensing chamber, said compressor discharge means communicating with said condensing chamber, and heat dissipating means provided upon the exterior surface of the casing.

12. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a compressor, discharge means associated with the compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and compressor, the space intervening between the exterior surface of the motor and the interior surface of the casing constituting a condensing chamber, said compressor discharge means communicating with said condensing chamber, and heat dissipating means provided upon the exterior surface of the casing.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a. refrigerant uid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a compressor, discharge means associated with the compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, the

space intervening between the exterior surfaces` of the compressor and the motor and the interior surface of the casing constituting a condensing chamber, said compressor discharge means communicating with said condensing chamber, and heat dissipating means provided upon the exterior surface of the casing.

14. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a compressor, discharge means associated with the compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and compressor, the space intervening between the exterior surface of the compressor and the motor and the interior surface of the casing constituting a condensing chamber, said compressor discharge means com-V municating with said condensing chamber, and a plurality of cooling lns provided upon the exterior surface of the casing.

l5. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, compressed and condensed,. the combination of a compressor, discharge means associated with the compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a substantially cylindrical casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, the space intervening between the exterior surface of the compressor and the motor and the interior surface of the casing constituting a condensing chamber, said compressor discharge means communicating with said condensing chamber, and a plurality of cooling fins provided upon substantially the entire cylindrical surface of the casing.

16. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination of a compressor, discharge means associated with the compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a cylindrical casing enclosing the motor and compressor, the space intervening between the exterior surface of the compressor and the motor and the interior surface of the casing constituting a condensing chamber, said compressor discharge means communicating With said condensing chamber, and a plurality of cooling fins provided upon substantially the entire cylindrical surface as well as upon one of the lateral surfaces of the casing.

17. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a compressor and a motor mounted in end-to-end relation, a substantially cylindrical gas-tight casing enclosing the motor and compressor, and providing a chamber for compressed refrigerant, a drive shaft connecting the motor and compressor, said shaft extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical casing, and a condensing coil for cooling the compressed gases, said coil surrounding the motor compressor unit for substantially its entire length and arranged in concentric relation with the casing, and having its axis substantially parallel to that of said drive shaft.

18. A refrigerating unit comprising a, sealed condensing tank for the refrigerant, a compressor located in said tank, a motor in said tank connected to and operating said compressor, and a cooling coil in said tank surrounding the compressor and motor.

19. A refrigerating unit comprising a condensing tank having bottom and side walls and a cover hermetically closing the same, a compressor located in said tank, a cooling coil located in said tank, and a motor in said tank connected to and operating said compressor, said motor being located Within said cooling coil so that it is cooled thereby.

20. A refrigerating unit comprising a condensing tank having bottom and side walls and a cover hermetically closing the same, a compressor located in said tank and discharging into the same, a low pressure gas return conduit passing into said tank and being connected to said compressor to deliver gas thereto, a cooling coil located in said tank and surrounding said compressor and conduit, and a motor in said tank connected to and operating said compressor, said motor being located within said cooling coil so that it is cooled thereby.

ANDREW A. KUCHER. 

